Jackson, MS - Laura Dupree, past International Officer and current Phi Theta Kappa advisor, has been chosen to receive the 2011 Board of Directors Alumni Achievement Award. Dupree will receive her award at Phi Theta Kappa's Annual Convention in Seattle, where she will serve as keynote speaker at the Alumni Banquet.

As an International Vice President in 1999-2000, Dupree suggested the idea for a commemorative pin to be given to persons who contributed to the Leaders of Promise Scholarships. Her International Officer Team helped develop the scholarships, Phi Theta Kappa's first funding for associate-degree studies. Now known as Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise, the program provides 180 scholarships of $1,000 each annually. Dupree continues to support Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise through regular gifts to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation.

Dupree was a returning adult student when she enrolled in Lone Star College-North Harris in Texas, and was inducted into the Alpha Alpha Rho Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. She served as a chapter officer and chapter president before being elected an International Vice President.

After receiving her baccalaureate degree, Dupree returned to Lone Star College-North Harris, where she serves as Lead Academic Advisor for first-time students.

As the first member of her family to graduate from college, Dupree enthusiastically supports college completion and the Community College Completion Challenge. Since the Lead Academic Advisor Program was launched in 2008, the college has noted significant increases in numbers of students completing their associate degrees or certificates, she said.

Dupree and Lynda Dodgen, her one-time advisor, are advisors of Alpha Alpha Rho Chapter and of the chapter's alumni association. Dupree is a Certified Instructor for the Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Studies course, and has served as a Faculty Scholar and Honors Institute seminar leader. Dupree also volunteers at Annual Convention General Sessions.

Dupree's husband Mark, also a member of Alpha Alpha Rho Chapter, is an instructor at Lone Star College-North Harris. They have three children, Victoria, soon to graduate from the University of Houston; and Jacqueline and Aaron, both enrolled at Lone Star-North Harris.

Dupree received a master's degree in education with Montessori emphasis from the Chaminade University in Hawaii, and eventually will complete a doctorate in educational leadership. Learning to challenge herself and stretch her goals, and realizing that she had administrative skills, are lessons learned through Phi Theta Kappa, she says.

"Laura is certainly deserving of this award," said Dr. Rod A. Risley, Phi Theta Kappa Executive Director. "From the time she first heard about Phi Theta Kappa - even before she became a member - she has been one of our most dedicated supporters."

"As a member, a chapter officer, an International Officer and now an active advisor, Laura truly lives the Hallmarks of Phi Theta Kappa," Dr. Risley said.

"I am extremely humbled that the Board of Directors selected me for this award," Dupree said. "I find great joy and pleasure doing what simply comes naturally to me - helping others. I will remain forever grateful for all of the opportunities that have been afforded me because of Phi Theta Kappa, Dr. Margaret Mosal and Dr. Rod Risley - visionaries with an unwavering commitment to student success."

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,270 chapters on college campuses in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions. More than 2.5 million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 125,000 students inducted annually.